The Evil Eye Festival, a colourful, carnival of heritage and culture, where Renaissance Fair meets carnival, samba “and a whole lot of magic”.

This years fantastically creative programme

If you missed it last year, then you are in for a real treat, as it's going to be even better this year with a range of imaginative events. Festivities begin at 7pm on Friday, Aug. 22nd, with the Inishowen Gospel Choir and dancers followed by a processional parade down the main street at 9pm with large-scale puppets, a samba band with Formorian soldiers (pictured below), stilt walkers and Balor. There will also be music and mead at An tSeanbhearaic at 10pm

Formorian soldiers in the carnival procession last year. Spectacular.

Winner of last years Quests

On Saturday the 23rd, entertainment begins at noon with a display of birds of prey and medieval weaponry, along with a hog roast, in Kelly’s field.

A number of quest games will test skills, strength and agility, in order to identify one of the main characters of the story of Cloch Cheann Fhaola, Lugh Lámhfada all at various Falcarragh locations from 1-3pm.

The festival programme really has something for everyone with lesson's in the secret magic of herbs with the head gardener at Glenveagh National Park on Saturday, meeting at An Sean Bheairic at 2pm.

A festival highlight will be the medieval banquet, set in St. Ann’s church in Killult (pictured below), a perfect setting to an evocative evening of song, dance, drama and good, hearty grub. This is a ticket only event. Tickets can be purchased from An Sean Bheairic.

The festival will also pay tribute to the history of Muckish Mountain’s mining legacy, with guided walks on the old Miners Path and disused railway tracks.

Local and universal, rooted and engaging, Féile na Súile Nimhe / The Evil Eye is our ancient past and living present, all in its wild beauty. The mythological gap in Ireland’s calendar has been filled with Féile na Súile Nimhe / The Evil Eye Gathering, a festival dedicated to the universal language of mythology, emanating from the great stone itself to move our soul,

— Diarmuid De Faoite

Festival Director Kathleen Gallagher and the festival team want people to participate in the festival rather than just watch, so festival-goers are encouraged to dig out their most colourful props and historically inaccurate outfits and join in the fun. There will also be free live music in all the bars over the weekend.

Inishowen Gospel Choir

The documentary, “The Glass Mountain”, on the history of silica mining at Muckish, will be screened at An tSeanbheairic from 1pm, followed by two different walks at 2pm up and around Muckish suited to different abilities. Booking is essential on 074 9180655. There will also be a mass at the 13th-century Tullaghabegley Graveyard at 8pm on Sunday, honouring the souls of the past.

The Evil Eye Festival runs from Friday, Aug. 22nd to Sunday, Aug. 24th, at venues in and around Falcarragh. We can't wait! Stay up to date on Facebook/EvilEyefestival, volunteers welcome.

St Anne's Church Kilult where Balors Banquet will take place on Saturday the 23rd August.

Enjoy Birds of Prey in the medieval field on Saturday the 23rd August.

Locals are donating their time to constructing the large scale puppets -Pictured here is Roger making the stand for Balor!